Have you ever heard of general managers in college football? While not a new concept, it hasn’t been all that common—until now. Kalen DeBoer is shaking things up by bringing a new GM to the Crimson Tide: Courtney Morgan.

Morgan will undoubtedly play a key role in building the Bama roster. He’ll likely scout players, hire coaches, and negotiate their contracts.

On August 19, Matt Zenitz reported that “Alabama has agreed to a landmark deal with GM Courtney Morgan that will pay him $825K per year over 3 years.” That’s a massive $2.5 million contract, signaling that the Tide’s star roster architect is here to stay for the long term.

Well, Morgan is worth the investment! He’s been the big fish in college football’s front office and was even pursued by the USC Trojans for a President role in football. But he chose to stick with Alabama, and now, with Morgan’s help, Alabama is all set to become the nation’s top recruiting class contender. They’re already in second place, and it’s not a stretch to see them taking the lead.

Not to forget, Courtney Morgan has previously helped Kalen DeBoer as GM, guiding the Washington Huskies to the national title game. In fact, he literally followed DeBoer to Alabama, arriving on the same plane when DeBoer first landed in Tuscaloosa in January. Even before joining Bama, Morgan worked with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan as the Director of Player Personnel. It looks like the Crimson Tide just made a big bold step by signing him. 

However, with this new hire, the entire CFB is moving closer to pro leagues like the NBA.

Kalen DeBoer gets his Rob Pelinka

In college football, spotting a general manager is rare, unlike in the NBA, where they make major hiring decisions. That’s why Courtney Morgan’s big paycheck is more than just a bonus. It shows that college football is starting to invest more in their front office staff. With Morgan on board, it seems like the Crimson Tide has found their version of Rob Pelinka, the mastermind behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster.

Pelinka, a top sports agent and one of the highest-earning NBA GMs with a $5 million salary, has set a high bar. Well, let’s just say Courtney Morgan isn’t far behind. While GMs aren’t entirely new in college football — Mark Pantoni at Ohio State is another example—Morgan’s contract draws more attention to the role. Alabama’s new head coach, Kalen DeBoer, is a big supporter of Morgan, having retained him since their time together at Washington. “He [Morgan] has great relationships across the country and is essential in helping us recruit and evaluate talent,” DeBoer said.

Morgan has already impacted by organizing the “cold summer” recruiting camp, drawing top recruits to Alabama. Courtney Morgan will become a leading figure in CFB’s front office as time passes, much like Rob Pelinka in the NBA.